Third, Davis had indicated that if Ben was not granted deferment, he would still proceed to sign the contract - as he has done so.

Ben had made headlines for being the first Singaporean to sign a professional contract with an EPL club on June 29.

However, he signed the contract despite Mindef rejecting his application for NS deferment on June 11.

"The application by Mr Harvey Davis for his son's deferment is to further his son's professional career first and to the longest extent possible," said Dr Ng.

Dr Ng added that Davis has been open about this.

"Singapore and her interests, including his son's NS obligations, are secondary considerations, if at all," he said.

"There has been no indication, commitment or plans as to how Mr Ben Davis would help football standards in Singapore, if deferred.

"To grant deferment to Mr Ben Davis to pursue his personal development and professional career would be unfair to the many others who have served their NS dutifully as required, and not at a time of their choosing.

"National Service does require sacrifices, certainly personal ones, but performing one's NS duties and pursuing national aspirations for sports excellence need not be mutually exclusive.